Two great statements concerning 'Ulamaa:
Sufyaan ath-Thawree said:
"The scholars are similar to rain, wherever they fall, they benefit."
(Jam'ee Bayaan al 'Ilm wa Fadlihee 1/56)
Hasan al-Basri said:
"If there were no scholars, people would become like animals."
(Muktsir Minhaaj Al Qasideen pg. 17)